Relaxation, a daily holistic need
While being mindful within a Stoic space,
i got triggered by the concept of relaxation and i looped a bit.
i hope you enjoy
Time to relax
Relaxing is giving time to your self to recharge or discharge. Or both.
It's a tactile need of the body, the intellect and the emotional world as well.
Besides sleeping, where all the wondrous procedures of body - mind - subconscious take place,
we need to discharge negativity and recharge positivity or at least get ourselves to a state where calmness and tranquility are "the mode" with which we'll continue being.
Besides sleeping, where all the wondrous procedures of body - mind - subconscious take place,
we need to discharge negativity and recharge positivity or at least get ourselves to a state where calmness and tranquility are "the mode" with which we'll continue being.
But ! similarly to sleeping, we need to give time to ourselves and relax on a daily basis.
No matter how busy your daily schedule is, you need to make space for your recharging or else... .
No matter how busy your daily schedule is, you need to make space for your recharging or else... .
Clarify the need's nature
Since the need for rest is physical, intellectual or even emotional, we should first clarify what is the nature of our need.
- Should we relax our minds, due to immense intellectual work?
- Do we need to relax our emotional world and retract from sensory triggers ?
- Or do we need to let or help our body alleviate it's musculoskeletal distress?
The second step is to acknowledge whether you need to recharge due to depletion, to discharge negativity or excess energy.
Discharging anxiety, stress, negative emotions or
thoughts, requires us to be aware of ourselves and be *mindfully present* in the practice or activity we choose in order to take care of our need.
So? what to do ?
It can be done with various methods but "doing nothing" is rarely an effective one.
- Looking at the sky and letting go of "all" until you're calm or tranquil is not doing nothing.
- Listening to music or absorbing melodies, is not doing nothing.
- Keeping yourself busy with Twitter - phone calls - etc, is close to nothing.
Make sure that after your relaxation time is over, you are rejuvenated.
Choose an activity or practice that encapsulates quality.
Some easy practices that you can do alone or at least with the help of a friend, are :
- Body ~ stretch like there's no tomorrow, enjoy a long lasting massage, idleness, absorb sunlight, enjoy a bubbly bath, apply skin care products or exfoliate or just hug yourself for 10" .
- Emotions ~ listen to music or meaningful lyrics, absorb relaxing melodies, sing, write & externalize, sketch/doodle/paint, handcrafts, watch videos of cute animals, let yourself go within a relaxing "wallpaper" .
- Intellect ~ read a novel or poetry, listen to music or a podcast with a soothing voice, watch a documentary, meditate, practice stillness.
But beware !
The need for rest is tactile. But we need to not get comfy in it otherwise we create space for pathe to emerge.
If we use the perspective of the Stoics, an urge is a matter of the psyche and it tends to manifest itself towards excess. Reason is what we need to use as to calibrate.
If the urge corresponds to a tactile need of oneself (as is rest), it makes it easier to succumb to it's drive to "derail" us.
In case of resting - indulging is easy. So is to justify that indulgence.
If the need for rest escalates to a pathos then we might become
lazy.
If it pollutes our actions we might become careless.
If it entangles our being we might become drifters.
A drifter is not just a person that has no purpose in life or someone who just lives by following the circadian cycle with some enjoyable activities included.
A drifter is mainly a person that prefers to superficially exist instead of intentionally living.
A drifter is mainly a person that prefers to superficially exist instead of intentionally living.
If you keep this "drifting" perspective, but zoom-out a bit,
you'll see that it's the usual mode of everyday-life.
you'll see that it's the usual mode of everyday-life.
Expand your Awareness & Mindfulness,
in all activities
and you'll elevate your self's & life's quality holistically.
in all activities
and you'll elevate your self's & life's quality holistically.
time to land...
So, although we do need to rest and we must take care of this holistic need,
it is mandatory to
- be aware of the need's nature
- ensure there's quality in the "how"
- be mindful in the "now"
Also, don't let the minor needs to pile up.
Treat yourself daily in accord to your need's nature and you''ll enjoy your "day-off" on a whole different level.
Treat yourself daily in accord to your need's nature and you''ll enjoy your "day-off" on a whole different level.
Happy relaxing & Merry rejuvenating !
Is there a trigger that you'd like to share?
Poke me on twitter or send a pigeon .
Take care.
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